Smoke and heat operated electrical alarm device



Dec. 22, 1964 s. GIUDICE 3,162,846

SMOKE AND HEAT OPERATED ELECTRICAL ALARM DEVICE Filed Feb. 26, 1961 2 Sheets-$heet 1 TO SOURCE lo INVENTOR. SANTE GIUDICE ATTORNEYS 3,162,846 SMGKE AND HEAT @PERA'EEE ELEETRIGAL ALARM DEVECE Saute Giudice, 4% N. Cedar St, Owosso, Mich. Filed Feb. 2%, 1961, Ser. No. 90,375 4 Qlairns. Cl. 340-237) This invention is an improvement in my smoke-operated electrical alarm device, as set forth in Patent No. 2,613,259 issued on October 7, 1952.

The invention relates particularly to a device having a chambered member and a filtered part through which air in a room in which the device is installed must pass in order to feed oxygen to a pilot burning within said chambered memben. Said filtered part reducing the rate of circulation of the air into said chamber so that when the air is contaminated with smoke the supply of oxygen is sufficiently cut off together with the circulation of oxygen to the flame that the flame becomes extinguished and thereby causes a warning signal to be given.

The signal device of the present invention is especially adapted for use in warehouses, stock rooms and other isolated locations which are infrequently or only occasionally visited. in such locations it is essential that an alarm si nal be immediately given when the air therein has become contaminated with a small amount of smoke so that prompt and immediate attention will be called to the situation. The device is also useful in homes, hotels, motels, etc. and in factories and orifices after closing hours especially as an aid to the watchmen. If there are no watchmen, the alarm may be placed at some exposed part of the building where it will be heard by one passing by the building or within hearing distance of the alarm. The device is further provided with means which preclude a false alarm under such circumstances as when the device is inoperative or, in the event that the pilot light should be extinguished as the result of an exhausted fuel supply, and it may advantageously have v a signal device when the device is not in operating order.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an alarm device which will cause an alarm to be given as a result of a very small amount of smoke contaminating the air.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device having a chambered member with a pilot burning therein, and a filtered air inlet port in said chamber which reduces the rate of circulation of air that does enter said chamber and in the event that said air becomes contaminated with the slightest amount of smoke the supply of oxygen through said filter is inadequate to support the fiame by further cutting the quantity of oxygen circulating through said filter and thereby extinguishing the fiame and causing an alarm to be given.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means to prevent a false alarm.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means for automatically shutting oil the fuel supply to the pilot in the event that the pilot becomes extinguished as the result of smoke contaminated air.

Still another obiect of the present invention is to provide a novel smoke operated. electrical alarm device characterized by its structural simplicity, the easy assembling of its parts, its strong and sturdy nature and its low manufacturing cost. (Ether features of this invention reside in the arrangement and design of the parts for car rying out their appropriate functions.

Further objects of the present invention and certain practical advantages will be referred to and will be evident from the following description of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1, is a side elevational view of a device em- States Patnt hlhhdth ice bodying the present invention and showing the alarm wirin g circuit.

FIGURE 2, is a transverse sectional view taken along the plane of line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the plane of line 33 of FIGURE 1 and showing a portion of the alarm wiring circuit connected with the wiring circuit of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the alarm wiring circuit, and FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional View with a number of the upper sections of the device removed.

Before describing in detail the herein disclosed invention, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the structural details or the particular arrangement of parts herein shown, as devices embodying the present invention may take other forms. it also is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology herein used are for purposes of description and not of limitation, as the scope of the present invention is denoted by the appended claims.

Referring specifically to the drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like parts, and with particular reference to FXGURES l and 5 a base support ill is provided and supports therein a suitable pilot light tube 12 which is connected to a suitable source of fuels 7 such as propane gas or the like, (not shown) by line 14. The pilot light tube extends upwardly into a preferably glass chambered member 15. The chambered member is is adapted to rest upon the base lit in sealing engagement therewith, and said sealing means may be provided by a gasket or any other suitable means not shown. A suitable chain 11 and pulley arrangement not shown may be provided for separating and joining the members ill and lid. A vertical air inlet tube 18 is provided in the upper surface of the base ill and extends into the chambered member lid to approximately the same level as the upper end of the pilot tube 12. An air flow reducing diaphragm Ztl covers the ope ing of air inlet tube 18.

An elongated central tube 22 extends vertically from a level slightly above the pilot flame 24 in the chambered member 16 upwardly through the top 32 of the chamber 15, as seen in FIGURE 5. The lower end of the tube 22 is threaded and provided with a nut 26 which retains a hood member 23 on the lower end of the tube 22. The hood member 28 extends downwardly below the lower end of the tube 22 to a level wherein its lower edge is approximately level with the upper end of the pilot flame 2 2-. The upper end of the tube 2.2 is also threaded and a hood member 3% having its lower edge resting on the upper surface of the top 32 of chamber 16 supports the tubular member 22 in a desired position. The tubular member 22 is supported by the hooded member by means of a nut which threadedly engages the end of the tubular member 22, as seen in FIGURE 5. By adjusting the nut 34 the tube 22 may be raised or lowered within the chambered member 16. A suitable cap 36 fits over the upper end of the tube 22 and is provided with a small aperture in the center thereof. The cap 36 merely rests on the upper edge of the tube 22. and serves to reduce the size of the opening of the tube 22. A ring 38 is secured to the top 32 of the chambered member 16 by soldering, welding or any other suitable means and has its inner vertical edge provided with threads. A bell shaped member ill fits over the upper end of the tube 22 and its associated cap and hood 3b and is provided on its outer surface with suitable threads which engage the threads of ring 38 at 42. The bell shaped member til narrows at its upper end which is also provided on its outer surface with screw threads. A cap 44 is threadedly secured to the upper end of the bell shaped member ll).

The cap 44 is provided with a small aperture in the center thereof and is effective in reducing the size of the opening of the upper end of the member 4t). The member 40 is surrounded by a perforated horizontal plate 46 which supports the bottom section of a plurality of superimposed glass sections 48, Sit, and 52 as seen in FIG- URE l.

The bottom section 43 is open at the top end and is in communication with the outlet in cap 44. The top end of the bottom section 48 has a nozzle 54 extended to project Within the next superimposed section 50 which also has an open bottom seated upon the outer surface of bottom section 43. This intermediate section 50 is of the same general construction and shape as the bottom section 43 but smaller in size. The top section 52 has an open bottom, seated on the outer surface of intermediate section SI), and is open at the top to the atmosphere. A diapluagm 56 constructed of a weighted material such as foil paper or some other light weight composition material, is carried by the free end of an arm 53 in position to register with the nozzle outlet 54 provided at the top end of the bottom section 48. The arm 53 is formed of an electrically conductive material and pivoted at one end at 6i), which pivot and arm are in contact with an electrical signal circuit hereinafter described. An electric contact 62 connected to an electric signal circuit, is disposed in position to be contacted by the arm 58 when said weight 56 on the arm 58 seats upon the top of the nozzle 54 and will be out of contact with said arm when the weight thereon is lifted out of contact with the nozzle. In normal operation warm. air is circulated upwardly through tube 22 from pilot flame 24.

The perforations in plate 46 permit supplementary air to enter the section 48 and the heat from the pilot light forms a circulation of air through the glass tube and outwardly through nozzle 54 to maintain the arm 58 in a raised position out of contact with the electric contact 62. The flow of warm air through nozzle 54 continues unimpeded so long as the pilot light 24 burns, however, when it becomes extinguished the air carrying weight 56 drops and causes the arm 58 to contact the electric contact 62 and close the electrical arm circuit to give thereby the alarm signal as hereinafter described.

Means is provided to prevent a false alarm in the event that the fuel supply should become exhausted thereby causing the pilot light to become extinguished which would normally have the effect of setting off the alarm. Such means take the form of an auxiliary pilot tube 7%) which is connected into the main fuel supply line 14. The auxiliary pilot tube 79 projects verticallyupward into an open bottom housing '72 which is secured adjacent the chambered member 16 by suitable brackets 74 and 76. The upper end of housing is provided with a nozzle 78. Another 'suitable moveablemember is associated with this nozzle outlet, this talringthe form of an arm 39 of the same general construction as arm 58. The arm 30, con structed of conductive material, is pivoted at 82 to a suitable support which is provided here as an extension of the plate 46. The free end of the arm 84? has a weight 84, of foil paper or other suitable material, disposed to register with the nozzle 78. The Weight 84 is normally held away from the nozzle 78, by warm air rising through the housing '72 and being discharged through said nozzle. In this case an electrical current 86 which is connected to an alarm circuit is disposed to be in contact with the arm 80 when the same is 'in a raised position, that is to say, when the weight 84 is held out of contact with the end of the nozzle 78. Should the fuel supply be exhausted and the auxiliary pilot extinguished, the warm air not forced through the nozzle 78 the arm 80 will drop downwardly out of contact with the electric contact 86 thereby opening the circuit and preventing a false alarm from being given. The device will be so constructed that the arm 8b in dropping, will break contact with the electric contact 86 slightly before the arm d makes contact with the 4- elcctric contact 62 so that the alarm circuit will be open when both arms 8% and 58 are caused to drop as a result of a reduction in the flow of air through their nozzles 78 and 54 respectively.

The main pilot tube 12 is provided with a suitable valve not shown which is controlled by means of a handle 90 for the purpose of turning on or off the flow of fuel through the tube 12. The auxiliary pilot tube 70 is also provided with a suitable valve not shown which is controlled by a suitable handle 92. In addition the main fuel supply line 14, as seen in FIGURE 5, is provided with a suitable valve not shown which is controlled by a geared handle 94. If desired the handle 94 may be connected by means of a suitable gear 9'5 to a motor 93 for the purpose of shutting off the fuel supply in the event that the main pilot flame 24 becomes extinguished. The motor may be very small in size and mounted within the base 10.

As seen in FIGURES 1 and 4 a suitable bell 1th) is connected in the electrical current. The bell is illustrative of one kind of an alarm, and preferably an audible one, but an inaudible alarm, such as an electric light could be used if desired. The device could be connected in various ways either to give an alarm within the building, in the vicinity outside the building, or transmitted to some desired remote point. It could be connected to give an alarm directly to the fire station, or it might be hooked up with the telephone so the telephone receiver could be automatically removed and the alarm automatically transmitted to the operator who would relate it to the fire station.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, wherein, a complete electrical diagram is shown, a suitable plug 1G2 is adapted to be connected to a suitable electrical outlet such as found in a home or building. One side of the circuit includes line 104 which is connected through arm 80 contact member 86, line 106, arm 58, contact 62 and line 108 to the hell 1%. Line 108 is also connected by means of line lid to the motor 93, the motor 98 is connected by means of line 112 to contacts 114 and 11a of a two position switch. Contacts 114 and 116 of the two-way switch are connected bymeans of a moveable contact bar 118 through line 12% to the hell 1% and the power source via line 122. The two-way switch includes cooperating contacts 124 and 126 which are connected to line by line 128 and to line 12% by line 130 respectively.

The operation of the device should now be apparent. It is placed into a room and Wired into the electrical circuit of an alarm system, preferably an audible one, as shown in FIGURES l and 4. The surrounding air in a room is continuously circulated through the device by the pilot lights which cause the air to be normally discharged through the device. This circulation of air will continue so long as the pilots are burning and until the air becomes contaminated with smoke. As a result of smoke contaminated air the main pilot 24 is extinguished due to a lack of oxygen, and thereby reducing the air flow through nozzle 54 causing the arm 58 to drop and close the circuit in the alarm system. With reference to the electrical diagram of FIGURE 4, as the arm 58 falls it closes a circuit between lines 104 and 105 and arm 58 which is normally maintained in circuit closing contact so long as the auxiliary pilot is burning. The completion of the circuit is through line 108 to the alarm bell 100 which begins to ring. In addition, a circuit is completed immediately through lines 110, motor 98, by line 112, switch contacts 114 and 116, bar 118, line to the bell 100 and line 122 to the power source. With a completion of the circuit through the motor 98 the motor operates to drive the valve wheel 94 via gear 96 to close the valve in the main fuel supply line 14. The contact bar 118 is connected to the valve wheel by any suitable means here illustrated by arm 134 which is responsive to the movement of said valve, in response to actuation of the motor, whereby the arm 134 is caused to move the bar 118 out of contact with contacts 114 and 116 into contact with the contacts 124 and 1261 thereby breaking the circuit to the motor and stopping the motor in its action by completing a circuit through lines 128, 139 and 120 to alarm bell 100 so that the alarm continues to operate. It should be understood that the arm 134 and is associated contact bar 118 are so constructed as to permit the motor 98 to operate sufficiently long to close the valve, before breaking the electrical circuit to the motor.

The alarm circuit maker and breaker carried by the moveable member 80 that is associated with the auxiliary pilot '70, as heretofore stated, is to prevent a false alarm from being given when the device is not in operation. Thus, in the event of a failure in the supply of fuel both the main pilot flame and the auxiliary pilot flame would be extinguished and this would have the effect of setting off the alarm were it not for the moveable arm till which. drops out of contact with the electric contact 86 to break the circuit through lines we and M8, in FIGURE 4, thus preventing a false alarm. As heretofore stated, the moveable arm 80 is arranged to counteract and open the circuit before it is closed by the moveable arm 58. Thus, the alarm is not given in the event the fuel supply should become eid'iausted but is given only upon the main pilot flame becoming extinguished as a result of smoke contaminated air.

In further explanation of the device, it is believed that it functions on the principle of respiration, in other words, the device may be said to breathe, in that it draws in air just as the lungs. Due to the size of the small tube 18 and the filter 2d air by itself would not readily enter the tube 18, however, due to the heat of the pilot flame Z4 and the circulation created thereby, air is actually drawn into the device through the tube 118. The device is constructed so as to render it responsive to very small amounts of smoke. It is believed that a minute or so after the main pilot 2d is lighted all of the oxygen above the level of the upper end of tube 12, in chamber member 16, is consumed by the flame. The lower part from the level of the tube 12 to the base forms a reservoir of oxygen which is fed continuously by additional oxygen entering through tube 18. In this manner the power of resistance to becoming extinguished of the pilot flame 24 is greatly diminished and is believed to be diminished by at least 70%. Thus, a very light circulation of air that enters tube 18 and flows directly to the pilot light 24- and supports the pilot flame which exhausts upwardly through the tube 22 and the superimposed glass sections 48, 5t), and 52. If the air is contaminated with smoke instead of flowing directly from the tube 18 to the flame 24 the smoke-laden air drops down toward the base of member lid as illustrated at 138 in FIGURE 5. The pilot flame thus fails to receive sulhcient oxygen through the tube 18 to continue burning and becomes exhausted.

In actual tests it has been found that if a burning cigarette is placed directly beneath the filter 2d the pilot flame is extinguished within two seconds. If instead the cigarette is held a short distance from the filter 20, the pilot flame will become extinguished in less than a minute.

In addition to the device becoming responsive to smoke contaminated air, it is also responsive to heat. It is a well known principle that the oxygen is a given volume of air is diminished as the temperature of the air is increased. This effect may be experienced when one enters a room that has been heated to eighty or more degrees. The respiration becomes heavy or at least to a degree more uncomfortable. This is due to the fact that the heated air loses part of its oxygen. Now with regard to the device it has been previously mentioned that the air that enters through the tube 18 supplies the reserve oxygen that is found in the base of container 16 at a level below the upper end of tube 12 which supports the combustion of pilot flame 24. Thus, if the air that enters is heated (which means that it contains less oxygen) the reserve of oxygen is the base of the container becomes gradually less until completely exhausted thereby causing the flame to become extinguished.

It will be understood that the auxiliary pilot light 71 is not affected by smoke and stays on even when the main pilot 24 becomes extinguished.

i am aware that the device shown herewith may be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of the invention, and therefore, I claim my invention broadly as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is:

l. A smoke or heat operated electrical alarm device comprising a chamber means having an outlet through which air is circulated, an electrical alarm circuit, means movably mounted adjacent said outlet for opening and closing said circuit, said movable means responsive to the pressure of the air passing through said outlet, a pilot light within said chamber whose heat causes air to circulate through said chamber and discharge through said outlet against said movable means, the velocity of the air creating a pressure which normally holds said means in open circuit position, inlet means for supplying air to said pilot light, means for reducing the amount of air flowing through said inlet to the point where air contaminated with smoke or otherwise deficient in oxygen causes said pilot light to be extinguished thereby reducing the velocity rate of discharge of air through said outlet to permit said movable means which is in an open circuit position to move to a closed-circuit position, a second flame pilot light is mounted within a second chamber which is fully open to the atmosphere, an outlet in said second chamber, second movable means mounted adjacent said outlet in said second chamber and under normal air flow rate closing said circuit, said second pilot light heating the air and causing it to circulate through said second chamber and discharge through said outlet in said second chamber against said second movable means and holding said means in closed-circuit position, said second pilot light being extinguished upon the fuel supply being exhausted thereby reducing the rate of flow of air through said outlet in said second chamber to permit the second movable means which is in closed-circuit position to move to an open-circuit position.

2. A smoke or heat operated electrical alarm device comprising a chamber means having an outlet through which air is circulated, an electrical alarm circuit, means movably mounted adjacent said outlet for opening and closing said circuit, said movable means responsive to the pressure of the air passing through said outlet, a pilot light within said chamber whose heat causes air to circulate through said chamber and discharge through said outlet against said movable means, the velocity of the air creating a. pressure which normally holds said means in open circuit position, inlet means for supplying air to said pilot light, means for reducing the amount of air flowing through said inlet to the point where air contaminated with smoke or otherwise deficient in oxygen causes said pilot light to be extinguished thereby reducing the velocity rate of discharge of air through said outlet to permit said movable means which is in an open circuit position to move to a closed-circuit position, said fuel line for said pilot light is supplied with a valve, means operatively associated with said valve for opening and closing said valve, said means being connected in said electrical alarm circuit and being responsive to the closure of said circuit upon said movable means moving into a closed-circuit position.

3. A smoke or heat operated electrical alarm device comprising a chamber means having an outlet through which air is circulated, an electrical alarm circuit, means movably mounted adjacent said outlet for opening and closing said circuit, said movable means responsive to the pressure of the air passing through said outlet, a pilot light within said chamber whose heat causes air to circulate through said chamber and discharge through said outlet against said movable means, the velocity of the air creating a pressure which normally holds said means in open circuit position, inlet means for supplying air to said pilot light, means for reducing the amount of air flowing through said inlet to the point where air contaminated with smoke or otherwise deficient in oxygen causes said pilot light to be extinguished thereby reducing the velocity rate of discharge of air through said outlet to permit said movable means which is in an open circuit position to move to a closed-circuit position, said fuel line for said pilot light is supplied with a valve, an electric motor operatively connected with said valve for opening and closing said valve, said motor being connected in said electrical alarm circuit and being operated upon the closure of said circuit.

4. A smoke or heat operated electrical alarm device comprising a chamber means having an outlet through which air is circulated, an alarm circuit, means movably mounted adjacent said outlet for opening and closing said circuit, oxygen responsive means within said chamber causing fluid under pressure to circulate through said chamber and discharge through said outlet against said movable means for holding said means in open circuit position, means for supplying air to said oxygen responsive means, means for reducing the amount of air flowing to said oxygen responsive means to the point where air contaminated with smoke or otherwise deficient in oxygen causes said oxygen responsive means to reduce the pressure of said fluid discharging through said outlet to permit said movable means which is in an opencircuit position to move to a closed-circuit position, said oxygen responsive means comprising a pilot light within said chamber, second flame pilot light means mounted within a second chamber which is fully open to the atmosphere, an outlet in said second chamber, second movable means mounted adjacent said outlet in said second chamber and under normal air flow rate closing said circuit, said second pilot light heating the air and causing it to circulate through said second chamber and discharge through said outlet in said second chamber against said second movable means and holding said means in closedcircuit position, said second pilot light being extinguished upon the fuel supply being exhausted thereby reducing the rate of ilow of air through said outlet in said second chamber to permit the second movable means which is in closed-circuit position to move to an open-circuit position.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 442,299 Zimmerling Dec. 9, 1890 929,285 Chiesanova July 27, 1909 1,034,261 Lightcap July 30, 1912 1,187,823 Erikson June 20, 1916 1,205,929 Poore Nov. 21, 1916 1,219,814 Flickinger Mar. 20, 1917 1,268,422 Beach June 4, 1918 1,390,497 Chance et al Sept. 13, 1921 1,627,204 Ruben May 3, 1927 1,979,837 Lueck et a1 -2 Nov. 6, 1934 2,478,000 Miller Aug. 2, 1949 2,727,203 Zeitlin Dec. 13, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 18,060 Great Britain Aug. 8, 1907 

2. A SMOKE OR HEAT OPERATED ELECTRICAL ALARM DEVICE COMPRISING A CHAMBER MEANS HAVING AN OUTLET THROUGH WHICH AIR IS CIRCULATED, AN ELECTRICAL ALARM CIRCUIT, MEANS MOVABLY MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID OUTLET FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SAID CIRCUIT, SAID MOVABLE MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE PRESSURE OF THE AIR PASSING THROUGH SAID OUTLET, A PILOT LIGHT WITHIN SAID CHAMBER WHOSE HEAT CAUSES AIR TO CIRCULATE THROUGH SAID CHAMBER AND DISCHARGE THROUGH SAID OUTLET AGAINST SAID MOVABLE MEANS, THE VELOCITY OF THE AIR CREATING A PRESSURE WHICH NORMALLY HOLDS SAID MEANS IN OPEN CIRCUIT POSITION, INLET MEANS FOR SUPPLYING AIR TO SAID PILOT LIGHT, MEANS FOR REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF AIR FLOWING THROUGH SAID INLET TO THE POINT WHERE AIR CONTAMINATED WITH SMOKE OR OTHERWISE DEFICIENT IN OXYGEN CAUSES SAID PILOT LIGHT TO BE EXTINGUISHED THEREBY REDUCING THE VELOCITY RATE OF DISCHARGE OF AIR THROUGH SAID OUTLET TO PERMIT SAID MOVABLE MEANS WHICH IS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT POSITION TO MOVE TO A CLOSED-CIRCUIT POSITION, SAID FUEL LINE FOR SAID PILOT LIGHT IS SUPPLIED WITH A VALVE, MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID VALVE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SAID VALVE, SAID MEANS BEING CONNECTED IN SAID ELECTRICAL ALARM CIRCUIT AND BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE CLOSURE OF SAID CIRCUIT UPON SAID MOVABLE MEANS MOVING INTO A CLOSED-CIRCUIT POSITION. 